A major new national effort to eliminate deaths from prostate cancer will be launched at Parliament House in Canberra this week, bringing together leaders from government, health, and the community.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) will formally announce the establishment of a Committee for the Elimination of Prostate Cancer, to be chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon. Wayne Swan, at an event on Federation Mall at 12:30pm on Thursday, 14 May.
The Committee will develop the nation's first coordinated roadmap to end avoidable deaths from Australia's most commonly diagnosed cancer.
The launch will feature a striking awareness truck, positioned in front of Parliament House, carrying the message: "One small test for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Experts hope the launch will spark national conversation about early detection of prostate cancer.
Dan Repacholi MP, Special Envoy for Men's Health, said the initiative represents an important step forward in improving health outcomes for Australian men.
"Too many Australian men are still dying from prostate cancer when early detection can save lives. This Committee is about bringing focus, coordination, and urgency to that challenge. It's a critical step toward ensuring men across the country have access to the information, testing, and care they need."
Committee Chair, The Hon. Wayne Swan, said the initiative reflects both a national priority and a mission of great importance.
"I've seen firsthand the devastating impact of prostate cancer, both in losing my father and facing my own diagnosis. We know that early detection saves lives, but we are not doing enough to reach men at risk. This Committee is about changing that, once and for all.
"Australia has the capacity to lead the world in eliminating avoidable deaths from this disease. But it will take national leadership, coordination, and sustained commitment to get there."
Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Callister AM, Chairman of PCFA, said the Committee marks a pivotal moment in the national response to prostate cancer.
"This is about fairness, equity, and saving lives. Too many men are still being diagnosed too late. By bringing together expertise across research, policy, and clinical care, this Committee will help chart a clear path toward zero deaths.
"We know what works. Now we need to deliver it, consistently, nationally, and without delay."
Prostate cancer affects nearly 1 in 5 Australian men in their lifetime. Each year, nearly 29,000 men are diagnosed and almost 4,000 lose their lives.
The Committee for the Elimination of Prostate Cancer will work to align national efforts across early detection, research, and treatment, ensuring all Australian men have a fair chance of survival, regardless of where they live.
Click here to see Wayne Swan's opinion piece in today's Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.pcfa.org.au/media/h4gnymsz/for-me-its-personal_wayne-swan-on-the-fight-against-our-most-common-cancer-1.pdf
